Buckle



'BUCKLE V -A il 14, 19442.

Filed March 27 194;

INVENTOR; ISRAEL JOSEPH KA TZ ATTO one end, with the remainder of the frame.

Patented Apr. 14, 1942 V UNITE-D s1 TIES BUCKLE Israel Joseph Katz, New York, N. Y. Application March 27, 1941, Serial N0. 385,429

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in buckles, and more particularly to that class commonly employed with straps, bands, or the like, which are utilized to support wearable articles such as wrist watches, suspenders and the like.

One object of this invention is to provide a buckle which is simple to construct and inexpensive to produce.

Another object is to provide a buckle which is simple to attach to a prefabricated band or strap.

A further object of this invention is to provide a buckle with a minimum number of component parts.

A feature of this invention resides in the construction of the frame of the buckle.

Other objects and features will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing in which like numerals indicate similar parts and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an embodiment of this invention attached to a strap.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the same embodiment of this invention detached from the strap.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of this invention employing a different method of latching.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of this invention wherein the latching means are partly enclosed.

In buckles used with straps for wrist watches and the like, especially where the buckles are intended to be interchanged from one strap to another, one of the difficulties hitherto experienced has been due to the fact that the portion of the frame of the buckle which passes into the loop of the strap and which acts as the pivot for the tongue usually is separate from the rest of the frame. I

In such types of buckles, two points of latching are required. The time required for assembly is rather high and the possibility of losing that pivot portion of the frame is comparatively great.

Also, in previous types of buckles mentioned a above, where the pivot portion of the frame is latched at both ends, any failure of one of the latches would result in the loss of the rest of the buckle frame.

Essentially, the present invention resides in constructing the entire frame of one piece such that the pivot portion of the frame is integral, at The other end of the pivot portion is inserted in a latching arrangement such as a hook in the body of the frame or a hole in the free end of the body portion.

Where the end of the body portion of the buckle frame is provided with a hook type'of latch, the pivot portion is kept in position by the flexure at the. bend where the pivot portion meetsv the body portion. v

Where the buckle is provided with a latch in theform of a hole through the end of the body portion, the pivot portion is retained in position by the flexure of the body portion.

In Fig. 1, the pivot portion l of the buckle is shown in position within the loop 2 of the strap and passing through a loop in the end of the tongues. The body portion 5 is integral with the pivot portion I. The fiexure at the bend 4 provides the pressure required to keep the pivot portion'l in the latch hook 6.

In Fig. 2 is indicated the buckle without the strap. The entire frame of the buckle is of one piece construction. The pivot portion l passes through the loop of the tongue 3 and is formed by bending the body portion 5 at the point 4. The end of the body 5 is shaped into a hook 6 which has an inside dimension only slightly larger than the corresponding dimension of the pivot portion I. The flexure at the bend 4 will provide sufiicient pressure to maintain the pivot portion 1 within the hook 6.

In Fig. 3, the body 5 of the buckle is formed with a flat portion 1 in which a hole 9 is provided. In its closed position, the free end of the pivot portion I is retained within the hole 9 by means of the relative fiexure between the bends 4 and 8.

In Fig. 4, the hook 6 is covered with a formed piece of sheet material In which partly encloses it and renders the buckle more ornamental.

In the initial assembly of belt and buckle, the operation requires merely the placing of the tongue in position, the passing. of the pivot portion I through the loop of the strap and the closing of the latch.

In changing the buckle from one strap to another, the latch is easily opened and the assembly operation herebefore mentioned is repeated on the new strap.

I wish it distinctly understood that, while I have particularly described the simplest elements adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that they could be subject to modifications, and various changes in form, proportion and in minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention. v

What I claim is:

1. A buckle comprising a substantially D- shaped main member and a tongue member, the D-shaped main member comprising a substantially U-shaped portion and a substantially straight portion, the tongue member being pivoted to the said straight portion, one end of the straight portion being integral with an end of the U-shaped portion and the other end free, the free end of the said U-shaped portion being provided with latching meansengaging the free end of the said straight portion, the said D- shaped main member to permit its free ends to be sprung other.

being resilient to a degree.

free of each of each other.

2. A buckle comprising a substantially D- shaped main member and a tongue member, the D-shaped main member comprising a substantially U-shaped portion and a substantially straight portion, the tongue member being pivoted to the said straight portion, one end of the straight portion being integral with an end of the' U-shaped portion, and the free end of the said U-shaped portion being looped around and engaging the free end of the straight portion, the said D-shaped main member being resilient to a degree to permit its free ends to be sprung free ISRAEL JOSEPH KATZ. 

